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Lynne Featherstone has contacted local rail service providers, Govia, following weeks of disruptions on the Thameslink & Great Northern route.

Trains to and from Bowes Park, Alexandra Palace, Hornsey and Finsbury Park station have been delayed and sometimes cancelled, causing overcrowding, inconvenience, and frustration for commuters and other rail users.

Govia have agreed to meet with the Liberal Democrat MP to discuss the concerns in more detail. They have also provided the MP with a response, saying that over-running engineering works have adversely impacted on their ability to run a good service – and that they have challenged Network Rail on the management of their weekend engineering.

Govia are also consulting on the changes they intend to make to services – including plans to extend operating hours at Moorgate, to allow services to operate there later in the evening and at weekends.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Delays and overcrowding are incredibly inconvenient for commuters and other rail users. Alternative travel arrangements can also be costly, and few of us have the time to spare.

“That’s why I contacted Govia last week, and made it clear that the continued delays and cancellations are unacceptable. I’m glad to hear that they are working with Network Rail to prevent further problems.

“I really hoped that services would improve when Govia took over from First Capital Connect – and I will continue to push them until things get better!”

Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats were at Alexandra Palace rail station this morning, talking to commuters about the campaign to improve accessibility.

Local stations such as Hornsey, Alexandra Palace, Bowes Park and Harringay are all very difficult to access for many disabled and elderly people, or those with pushchairs, bikes and heavy bags.

The Liberal Democrat MP launched the campaign – which calls on Network Rail to undertake a study into making the stations ‘step-free’ – last month, and has already attracted over 500 signatures in support.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has also arranged a meeting with Network Rail in September, to present the petition and push for the study into our local rail stations.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It is just not acceptable in this day and age to have such useful local services which are not accessible to everyone.

“At Alexandra Palace, work has been done to make the bridge accessible and step free. But then there is no step-free way to get down on the platform. It is clear that an elevator is needed, as soon as possible. This is the kind of improvement the study could look into.

“I hope residents will get behind this campaign. Even if they are not directly affected by the access problems – I am sure they all know someone who is. The more signatures we get, the stronger our case to Network Rail will be.”

Lynne Featherstone MP has launched a campaignto make local rail stations like Bowes Park, Alexandra Palace, and Hornsey more accessible, and is encouraging residents to get involved.

During the local MP’s recent campaign to protect rail services at local stations, many residents commented on how difficult the stations are to access, particularly for the elderly, the disabled, and those with heavy pushchairs or bags to carry.

The Liberal Democrat MP is calling on Network Rail to meet with her to discuss the issues, and to undertake a feasibility study, which would determine what improvements need to be made and how much they would cost.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Getting on to a platform at Hornsey requires walking up and down two long staircases. At the others there are slopes into the stations, but no lifts down on to the platforms. This makes it dangerous – and in some cases impossible – for disabled or elderly passengers, or those carrying big bags or young children to access the rail services.

“I have made enquiries with Network Rail and our new rail service provider, Govia. Shockingly, there are no current feasibility studies on providing step free access at our local stations. This is just not right.

“That’s why I am asking residents to join me in campaigning for this study, to help improve our local rail stations and make them accessible for everyone.”

Lynne Featherstone MP last week met with a representative from Govia, the company who will shortly start managing Thameslink rail services in and around the local area.

The representative from Govia confirmed their commitment to improving local services, including evening and weekend services to Moorgate from December 2015, and newer, more modern trains with extra space from 2018.

To follow up comments raised in her recent local survey, the Liberal Democrat MP then pushed for better accessibility at local stations, to make them more usable for disabled and elderly residents, as well as those with young children and pushchairs.

The Govia representative said that they aimed to deliver station improvements in partnership with network rail, and would find out whether any studies had been done into the feasibility of making stations more accessible.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was great to meet with Govia and to hear the representative reaffirm the commitment to make improvements to our local services. Evening and weekend services into Moorgate and new, modern, spacious trains will be most welcome.

“But what we also need are huge station improvements, to make them more accessible for everyone. The number of steps and the lack of lifts at our local stations prevent some disabled and elderly people using them, and this is just unacceptable. I will continue to push Govia and Network Rail for these improvements.”

Lynne Featherstone MP has requested a meeting with Govia, the company recently awarded the management contract for the new Thameslink rail franchise – which covers rail stations and services in Haringey.

From 14th September this year, Govia will replace current service providers, First Capital Connect, in running services in and out London, via Haringey. Govia have committed to provide new trains, 50% more capacity and extra services at peak time – alongside promises of free wifi at stations and extended staff hours.

From December 2015, services from Alexandra Palace, Hornsey and Harringay will run in and out of Moorgate from 6am – midnight on weekdays, and also at weekends, to reflect the demand for more Moorgate services.

The changes are funded by a multi-billion pound investment by the Coalition Government.

A campaign by Lynne Featherstone MP and local residents last year secured a guarantee from the Department for Transport that no local services from Hornsey and Harringay would be lost.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Many residents have contacted me over the last few years, expressing their dissatisfaction with local rail services provided by First Capital Connect.

“I of course welcome the Government investment in our local services, and hope to see positive changes as soon as possible.

“I have called a meeting with new providers, Govia, to discuss the timescales for changes made and to make sure they are fully aware of the improvements we need at our local stations. If you would like me to pass on any comments about our local rail services and how they can be further improved – please let me know.”

Lynne Featherstone MP today contacted all of the shortlisted bidders for the Thameslink Rail Franchise, requesting that they commit to make vital improvements to local rail services in their bids.

In September, the Hornsey and Wood Green MP and Haringey Lib Dems’ campaign to save local services was successful, with the Department for Transport confirming that no services at smaller stations such as Hornsey and Harringay would be lost. Evening services to Moorgate will now run later, and on weekends, too.

Following this announcement, the Liberal Democrat MP contacted local residents and asked what further improvements they would like to see to local rail services. These suggestions have now been outlined in a letter to all bidders, and include concerns about accessibility, capacity, facilities and safety.

The bids are due to be submitted by the 24th December, with the successful bidder taking over management of the Thameslink Franchise and services at local rail stations from September next year.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was a huge relief when the Lib Dem campaign to save services at our smaller local stations was successful. Local residents really got behind the campaign – and now they have let me know what improvements they want to see under the new franchise.

“Accessibility is a huge issue for our local stations – making it incredibly difficult for the elderly, disabled people and people with pushchairs to use the services. I have therefore asked for lifts or ground level access to be installed.

“Greater capacity at peak time and longer platforms at Harringay and Hornsey would also go a long way to easing overcrowding and we need better facilities, such as toilets and display boards, too.

“I have asked that the bidders take this on board when preparing their final submission, and I look forward to working with whoever wins to ensure Haringey rail users get the best services possible.”

Our local trains serve thousands of residents every day – including me! It’s great when they run smoothly, but all too often our current trains into Moorgate are overcrowded, delayed or even cancelled.

Last year, the Haringey Lib Dems and I welcomed the coalition government’s announcement of a massive £6billion investment in rail services in and around London – which will mean new, longer trains and more services at peak times.

It’s part of the largest investment since Victorian times – which is great news.

But, at stations like Hornsey and Harringay, platforms are too short for longer trains to stop. We became worried that these stations could end up receiving fewer services, while the new, longer trains whizzed by.

So, we launched a campaign opposing any service reduction at Hornsey and Harringay. Perhaps unsurprisingly, 98 per cent of residents agreed with us!

We sent all of your responses to the Department for Transport (DfT), and on the day of the announcement, I went down to the department to make one final plea to save our services.

And I’m pleased to say that our hard fought campaign has been successful! The DfT have now announced that there will be no service reductions at any local stations, including Hornsey and Harringay.

In addition, the DfT also confirmed that, under the new franchise, evening and weekend services would now run into Moorgate as well as King’s Cross, and that Hornsey and Harringay stations will now be permanently staffed.

This is a great victory for local commuters, rail users and the Lib Dems – our train services will be improved and no services will be lost!

Last week, there was also very good news about Pinkham Way. The local Lib Dems and I have campaigned for years against the North London Waste Authority’s plans to build a huge waste plant on the site, which is situated just off the North Circular.

For years, residents lived in the shadows of this thoroughly unsuitable plan – worried about the effects on the local environment and property prices. The Labour council also turned their backs on us – waving through the plans without question.

But after years of Liberal Democrat and Pinkham Way Alliance campaigning, countless petitions, legal challenges and more, the waste authority has finally seen sense and cancelled plans for the Pinkham Way site!

We still remain vigilant on both issues. We will keep an eye on plans for the rail services and on the Pinkham Way site, to ensure that local residents’ voices are heard.

But for now, the battles have been won. I’d like to thank every single resident who took part in these campaigns. The local Lib Dems and I have worked tirelessly on them – but couldn’t have achieved success without the significant support from local residents.

The combination of Liberal Democrats and people power in Haringey strikes again!